Sources close to the situation have revealed that the UFC are hoping to have Michael Bisping take on Robert Whittaker later this year. However, the source also stated that not both fighters were on board with these plans.
Bloody Elbow has learned, through a source close to the situation, that the UFC is targeting a matchup between top ten middleweights Michael Bisping and Robert Whittaker.
The source revealed that the UFC is planning for Whittaker (16-4), who recently defeated Rafael Natal at UFC 197, to headline his first UFC event in November on a Fight Night card that could be held at the Rob Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
According to the source, the UFC are, “trying to make the fight happen,” but it is thought that Bisping (28-7) will not accept the bout, “unless forced.”
Whittaker, who is currently injured and requiring surgery on a broken hand, has surged up to 6th in the UFC’s middleweight rankings on the back of five straight wins.
Bisping, who is ranked 4th, earned a three-fight win streak of his own after taking a close decision victory over Anderson Silva in February.
This is not the first time the Ultimate Fighter 3 winner and the Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes winner have been put on a collision course. The pair were due to fight at UFC 193 in Melbourne last November, but ‘The Count’ was forced to withdraw due to an elbow injury that required surgery.
The source also suggested that Whittaker would accept the Bisping fight, but would also also likely accept any other match-up the UFC offered for the date and location previously mentioned.
Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for updates as this story develops.